The Application of RFID in the Life-Time Traceability of Animals

Yun Liu (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Sichuan Vocational and Technical College of Communications, China) and Peiji Shao (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China)

Abstract

This paper discusses how to use the RFID technology to realize the life-time traceability of animals. In order to record movements of an animal, the authors adapt the electronic pedigree designed for drugs to animals, which acts as standard data elements and is transferred between partners. Then a CIS is proposed based on the methodology which ensures movements of the animal to be recorded correctly. Results in a case study show that the solution can facilitate the life-time traceability of animals. It is reliable, convenient to query, easy to understand and use, and compatible with existing information systems.

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Background

The Application of RFID in Animal Identification and Tracing

In China, the RFID technology is applied first in pet identification. Increasing pets oblige the public to think about problems in the pet’s management and turn to get helps from other countries’ experiences.

Since it is the right time that market-ready RFID technologies are gradually taking place of traditional eartags, tattoos and brands in identifying animals, some Chinese cities try to utilize RFID tags to store simple information necessary for pets and build pet identification systems. Thus once a pet is lost, the person who finds it can easily figure out who it belongs to by reading the RFID tag.

RFID tags are also applied in the pork supply chain to guarantee the product’s quality. This is the first time that Chinese government requires traceability in the food supply to protect the consumer’s right to know what they will buy (Xiong, Fu, Lin, Luo, & Yang, 2009).

USDA goes further to build NAIS, which enable USDA to trace a disease back to its source in short time and limit potential harm to animal agriculture (USDA, 2008).

The premises registration component is the foundation of NAIS. When a producer registers his premise, a unique premises identification number (PIN) is assigned and his contact information is recorded, which ensures that the producer is notified quickly when an animal disease outbreaks (USDA, 2008).

The animal identification component involves assigning an animal or a group of animals a unique animal identification number (AIN), which gives animal health officials a clue for epidemiologic investigations (USDA, 2008).

NAIS is a State-Federal-industry partnership, the responsibility for implementing and administering NAIS is shared among State animal health authorities, USDA, and the animal agriculture production industry (USDA, 2008).